(HealthNewsDigest.com) - WASHINGTON, D.C., (April 15, 2014) -The American Lung Association Asthma Clinical Research Center (ACRC) is the largest not-for-profit network of clinical research centers dedicated to discovering effective treatment strategies for asthma. The network is currentlyrecruiting asthmatic smokers for studies examining whether asthma control assessment measures and treatment options work as well in those who smoke.

Asthma is a common lung disease that makes breathing difficult for over 25 million Americans; 20-30% of whom also currently smoke. While there is no cure for asthma, the disease can be managed and treated in most individuals allowing them to live a normal, healthy life. However, evidence suggests that the current asthma treatment guidelines may not be appropriate for smokers with research indicating that inhaled corticosteroids, the recommended mainstay for treat­ing persistent asthma, being less effective in smokers.

As such, the ACRC is looking for current cigarette smokers with poorly controlled asthma to enroll in the Smoking Asthmatics Cohort Study (SCS) to evaluate whether asthma control assessment measures are as effective when used with smoking asthmatics as they are with non-smoking asthmatics.

"If we find that these assessment measures are valid in smokers, we will then be able to examine whether certain add-on therapies can benefit poorly-controlled smoking asthmatics." states Joe Ramsdell, MD, primary investigator of the SAPS trial at the American Lung Association Asthma Clinical Research Center located at the University of California, San Diego. "It is hoped that our research will lead to improved asthma care for smokers".

In addition, the ACRC at the University of San Diego is conducting the Smoking Asthmatics Pilot Study (PILOT), a trial that is evaluating treatment options for asthmatics who smoke cigarettes. This trial is being done to assess the feasibility of doing a larger trial in asthmatics who smoke. For the Pilot study, they are recruiting current smokers between the ages of 18-50 for a 6 month trial. To learn more about the PILOT at UCSD Call 888-UCSD-AIR.

The American Lung Association Asthma Clinical Research Centers (ACRC) is a network of 18 centers across the U.S. and a data coordinating center at Johns Hopkins conducting large scale clinical trials with the mission to advance the clinical care and treatment of people with asthma. As a multi-centered network, the ACRC has focused on conducting effectiveness trials due to its ability to enroll large numbers of patients from diverse populations to ensure that the research findings are relevant to large groups of patients and can be interpreted with the highest level of scientific authority.

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About the American Lung AssociationNow in its second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. With your generous support, the American Lung Association is "Fighting for Air" through research, education and advocacy. For more information about the American Lung Association, a holder of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide Seal, or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit www.Lung.org.

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